Craving Bright Kitchen Lighting? LEDs Deliver
Is your kitchen illuminated by the harsh glare of fluorescent tubes that flicker, buzz, and give you headaches? After years of use, fluorescent lights start to fade, leaving your kitchen dim and dreary. But don't settle for dingy lighting - it's time to upgrade to energy efficient LEDs that deliver bright, beautiful light for your kitchen.
LED lighting provides the perfect replacement for outdated fluorescent kitchen lights. With the right layout using recessed downlights, under cabinet lighting, and pendant fixtures, your kitchen can become a well-lit workspace full of brilliance and style.
Benefits of Switching to LED Kitchen Lights
Choosing LED lighting for your kitchen remodel comes with many great benefits compared to sticking with fluorescent bulbs.
Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings
One of the best aspects of LED lights is energy efficiency. LED bulbs use at least 75% less power than fluorescent lighting. This adds up to major savings on your electricity bills over time. In addition, LEDs last years longer than fluorescents before needing replacement, saving you money.
Brighter and more visually appealing light comes as an added bonus with LED kitchen lighting. LEDs provide instant brightness and clearer illumination without any flickering or buzzing. Available in different color temperatures like warm, natural and cool white, you can customize the ambiance. Many LED options also allow you to adjust brightness with dimmer switches for even more control.
Versatile Lighting Options
The choices for LED kitchen lighting are diverse, so you can create a fully customized layout perfect for how you use the space.
LED tube lights are direct replacements for fluorescent tubes if you want to stick with a simple overhead lighting plan. For more directed task lighting over countertops and workstations, install under cabinet LED strips . Spots that need bright general lighting are perfect for recessed downlights . And pendant lights add an attractive focal point over islands or sinks.
Ease of Installation
With fluorescent kitchen lighting, a full overhaul of the electrical system was often needed to accommodate a lighting update. But with LED options today, installing new energy efficient lighting is much simpler.
Many LED tube lights just plug right into your existing fluorescent tube sockets for an instant upgrade. For hardwired fixtures like recessed lights , professional installation may be a good idea. But under cabinet strips and pendant lights can easily be handled as DIY projects for most homeowners.
Choosing the Best LED Lights for Your Kitchen
With the basics of switching to LED lighting covered, let's look at how to choose the right fixtures, bulbs, and layout to meet your kitchen's lighting needs.
Lighting Layout Tips and Ideas
For the brightest and most useful kitchen illumination, a mix of lighting types works best. Task lighting like under cabinet LED strips lets you see for cooking and prep work. Ambient lighting from pendants provides overall illumination. And general lighting from recessed downlights eliminates any remaining dark corners and shadows.
Position under cabinet lighting to cover your main work areas and countertops. Install pendants over your kitchen sink, island, or other areas where you want attractive focal lighting. Place recessed downlights strategically around the perimeter to cast light into the center of the room.
Technical Considerations
When selecting your LED kitchen lighting fixtures, pay attention to technical factors like:
- Lumens - the total light output
- Beam angle - how focused or diffuse the lighting is
- Color temperature - ranges from warm to cool
- Dimmable vs non-dimmable
Also consider physical fixture specs like sizes and styles to match your kitchen's decor. Bulb shape and base types matter too when it comes to replacement needs down the road.
Top Brands and Smart Technology
Stick with highly rated LED lighting brands like Philips, GE, and Sylvania for the best quality and performance. Many also offer smart wifi-enabled bulbs and fixtures today, letting you control lighting remotely from your phone.
Shopping Tips to Get the Best Price
Finally, a few tips to keep costs down as you shop:
- Watch for sales events and promotions on LED lighting
- Buying LED bulbs in multi-packs can be cheaper than single bulbs
- Take advantage of rebates some utility companies offer for energy efficient LED bulb replacements
Out with the old fluorescent kitchen lighting, and in with the new LEDs! With instant brightness, cost savings, and customizability, upgrading your kitchen illumination to energy efficient LEDs is a decision you won't regret.
The range of easy to install options from LED tube lights to under cabinet strips and recessed downlights make it simple to create a lighting plan tailored to your kitchen's unique footprint and needs. With the right layout and high quality fixtures, your kitchen will become a bright and brilliant space for cooking, eating, and entertaining.